Neighborhood Business (NB) Legacy District and Neighborhood Mixed Use (NX-) Regulations
In the City of Raleigh, the Neighborhood Business (NB) zoning designation is classified as a Legacy District that is currently being transitioned out of the city's regulatory framework. While existing NB properties maintain their status under the rules of the former Part 10 Zoning Code, no new NB districts may be established and their boundaries cannot be modified [Section 1.3.4]. The active Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) successor to this designation is the Neighborhood Mixed Use (NX-) district, which provides for retail, service, and residential uses at a neighborhood scale with a maximum lot size of 10 acres [Section 3.1.1].
Status of the NB Neighborhood Business District
The Neighborhood Business (NB) designation is one of several "Legacy Districts" identified by the City of Raleigh. These districts exist in the previous Part 10 Zoning Code and will eventually be replaced by modern UDO zoning districts. Under the Raleigh Unified Development Ordinance:
- No new NB districts may be added to the Official Zoning Map.
- The boundaries of existing NB legacy districts may not be modified.
- Legacy districts may exist as a general use district or a conditional district [Section 1.3.4].
Modern Equivalent: Neighborhood Mixed Use (NX-)
The Neighborhood Mixed Use (NX-) district is the current City of Raleigh designation intended for areas similar to the legacy Neighborhood Business (NB) district. The City of Raleigh uses NX- to provide for a variety of residential, retail, service, and commercial uses within walking distance of residential neighborhoods [Section 3.1.1].
Lot and Intensity Standards
The NX- district is intentionally limited in scale to ensure compatibility with surrounding residential areas.
| Standard | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Maximum Lot Size | 10 acres [Section 3.1.1] |
| Primary Street Setback (Min) | 5 feet [Section 3.2.6] |
| Side Street Setback (Min) | 5 feet [Section 3.2.6] |
| Side/Rear Setback (Min) | 0 feet or 6 feet [Section 3.2.6] |
| Ground Story Transparency (Min) | 50% [Section 3.2.6] |
Height Limitations
Mixed-use districts in the City of Raleigh must include a height designation suffix (e.g., NX-3) that defines the maximum scale of development [Section 3.1.2].
| Height Designation | Maximum Stories | Maximum Height (Feet) |
|---|---|---|
| -3 | 3 | 50 feet [Section 3.3.1] |
| -4 | 4 | 68 feet [Section 3.3.1] |
| -5 | 5 | 80 feet [Section 3.3.1] |
Allowed Uses in the NX- District
The following list details the principal uses allowed in the current neighborhood commercial standard (NX-) for the City of Raleigh [Section 6.1.4].
Permitted Uses (Allowed by Right)
- Residential: Single-unit living, Two-unit living, Multi-unit living, Cottage courts, and Rest homes.
- Public/Institutional: Parks, Open space, and Minor utilities.
- Commercial: Indoor recreation, Dance studios, Martial arts or music classrooms, Health clubs, Sports academies, Medical facilities, Offices, Outdoor sports facilities (≤250 seats), Bed and breakfasts, and Parking facilities.
- Retail/Service: Personal services (beauty salons, etc.), Copy centers, Optometrists, Eating establishments, general Retail sales, and Shopping centers.
- Open: Plant nurseries.
Limited Uses (Subject to Specific Standards)
- Frequent Transit Development Option: Allowed for higher density near transit [Section 6.1.2.K].
- Boardinghouses: Subject to construction as a detached house and spacing requirements [Section 6.2.2.B].
- School (K-12): Subject to traffic and location standards [Section 6.3.1.D].
- Telecommunication Towers (<250 ft): Subject to specific safety and setback criteria [Section 6.3.3.C].
- Short-Term Rentals: Subject to annual permits and occupancy limits [Section 6.4.6.E].
- Animal Care (Indoor) and Veterinary Clinics: Prohibited from having overnight outdoor activity [Section 6.4.9.B].
- Bars, Nightclubs, Taverns: Prohibited from having live performances or dance floors [Section 6.4.10.B].
- Vehicle Fuel Sales: Must meet a 100-foot lot width and be within 300 feet of a major intersection [Section 6.4.11.D].
- Community Gardens: Subject to signage and sales limitations [Section 6.6.1.B].
Special Uses (Board of Adjustment Approval Required)
- Emergency Shelters: Requires Board of Adjustment review.
- Outdoor Sports Facilities (>250 seats): Requires review for impact on neighbors [Section 6.4.5.C].
- Urban Farms: Allowed upon finding compatibility with urban character [Section 6.6.1.E].
- Detention Centers/Prisons: Subject to high-intensity use standards [Section 6.5.1.B].
Prohibited Uses
Any use not explicitly listed as Permitted, Limited, or Special is prohibited by the City of Raleigh [Section 6.1.5]. Specific prohibited uses in the NX- district include:
- Industrial: Heavy industrial, Light manufacturing, Research and development (R&D), and Warehouse/Distribution facilities [Section 6.1.4].
- Vehicle Services: Car washes and general vehicle repair (minor, major, or commercial) [Section 6.1.4].
- Other: Adult establishments, Pawnshops, and Self-service storage facilities [Section 6.1.4].
Sections Cited
- Section 1.3.4 (Legacy Districts)
- Section 3.1.1 (District Intent Statements)
- Section 3.1.2 (District Components)
- Section 3.2.6 (Mixed Use Building Base Dimensional Standards)
- Section 3.3.1 (Height Applicability)
- Section 6.1.4 (Allowed Principal Use Table)
- Section 6.1.5 (Prohibited Uses)
- Section 6.2.2 (Group Living Standards)
- Section 6.4.10 (Restaurant/Bar Standards)
- Section 6.4.11 (Retail Sales and Fuel Sales Standards)
- Section 6.6.1 (Agriculture and Urban Farm Standards)